El 9 de agosto de 2009, se organizó una Feria de Salud para Trabajadores Migrantes en Virgil, Ontario. MaryCarl Guiao de el show de radio âMigrant Mattersâ o âAsuntos Migratoriosâ, se encontró con Liz, una mujer que trabaja debajo del Programa de Trabajadores AgrÃcolas Temporales en Ontario, y entre los talleres y actividades de la feria Liz habló sobre sus preocupaciones y problemas asociadas con su salud trabajando aqui en Canada.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------- English translation of title and description:
Health & safety of migrant workers ignored
On August 9th 2009, Migrant Worker Community Health Day was held in Virgil, Ontario. The event sought to create a space in which migrant agricultural workers labouring in the region could voice their concerns, initiate dialogue, receive resources, and collectively strategize on how to reduce barriers and better their ability to ensure their health and well being. The following interview briefly highlights concerns commonly forwarded by individuals in the migrant worker community of Virgil. The interview is with Liz, a Mexican womyn labouring under the Canadian Seasonal Agricultural Workers Program (SAWP). She speaks to her experiences under the program and connects discussion to the issue of health.
The event was organized by groups ENLACE and the Migrant Support Center.
It takes the work of many to end all forms of exploitation of all living beings, so lets go! If youre interested in helping out with migrant justice advocacy work contact: If youre interested in helping out with migrant justice advocacy work contact:
ENLACE community link, enlace.canada@gmail.com
Agriculture Workers Alliance- Virgil, ON, niagara@awa-ata.ca
"My employer should understand that I'm not a machine..."- Liz
"What good are you to me in Canada if you can't work?" -an employer perpetuates the dominant culture of inhumaness, abuse and exploitation.
The issue of health and safety is one of central concern among migrant agricultural workers labouring under the SAWP. Under this porgram that brings them to work 'temporarily' in Ontario fields, their right to health and safety has been largely deprioritized and in many cased ignored, leaving these individuals continuing to sustain the Canadian agricultural industry at great personal risk.
Health day in Virgil itself consisted of a series of workshops related to health. These workshops were based on the active participation of those attending, and were driven by their testimony and knowledge.
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